Pump



Nov. 181 1924- C. H. FOX

PUMP

Filed OCT.v 5,

1922 5 Sheets-Sheet l v r, r

A'TFRNEY C. H. FOX

Nov. 1s, 1924.

PUMP

Filed om.; 5, 1922 ,4W w www t 4f wwwa/ffmc,

ATTORNY BY.l

Nov. 18, 1924.

C. H. FOX

' PUMP Filed om. 5, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 WlTNESSES ATTORNEY Nm my1924,..

c. H. Fox

PUMP

lNvEN-roR,

ATTORNEY 5 Sheet Filed om. 5, 1922 nav f/Mad n C. H. F'GX New; 1.8 w24PUMP Filed Oct. 5, 1922 5 Sheets-Sham, 5

@if armi? 0W;

.Patented Nov. i8, i924.

CHARLES HENRY FOX, OF BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA.

YUM?.

Application filed October 5,

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLns H. Fox, a citizen of the United States,residing at Bakersfield, in the county of Kern and State of California,have invented new and useful Improvements in Pumps, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to fluid pumps, and more particularly to pumps ofthat type in which the explosion of a combustible mixture is utilizedfor advancing the fluid to be pumped.

One of the important objects of my invention is to provide improvedmeans for utilizingthe explosive power of the fuel mixture whereby thesame is transmitted to the fluid to be pumped without any dissipation orloss of energy.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described in which the explosive means acts to cause apractically continuous flow of the fluid being pumped.

EL still further object of the invention is to provide a pump of thischaracter with means for compressing the fuel charge prior to itsintroduction into the explosion chamber, whereby a more rapid andefficient operation is made possible.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, and the novel features will be pointed out in theclaims.

ln the drawings, which form a part of this specification,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a well having my inventioninstalled therein.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the lower portion of the well and thepump cylinder on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, on a still further enlarged scale,of the water inlet portion of the pump.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on Fig. 5 is a similar view on theline 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a similar view o-n the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation partly in section, showing the explosionchamber and the outlet therefrom.

Fig. 8 is a Seotcual detail View Showing 1922. Serial No. 592,499.

the means for attaching the valve cage to the pump cylinder.

F ig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through the valve cage.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Fig.9.

Fig. 11 is a; similar view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the valve cage. y I

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 13-13 of Fig 9.

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional View of the upper portion of the fuelinlet pipe, with the valve-operating rod operating therein.

F ig. 15 is a vertical sectional view of a modied form of pump cylinder.

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the valve cage and explosionchamber shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a side elevational view of another modification of myinvention.

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view of the intake and exhaust ports ofthe form shown in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view showing a portion of thevalve-operating mechanism in the form shown in Fig. 17.

Fig. 2O is a sectional detail view of the exhaust mechanism.

Fig. 21 is a horizontal section on the line 2.121 of Fig. is.

Fig. 22 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 22-22 of Fig. 17

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates thecasing of a well in which my invention may be used. The numeral 2indicates what may be termed the pump cylinder, from which the water orother iiuid is forced upwardly through a discharge pipe 3, provided atits upper end with an outlet 4. The pump may be supported in anysuitable manner from a. base .5 at the mouth of the well, and it is oneof the purposes of my invention to introduce an explosive mixture intothe cylinder 2, by means to be hereinafter described, there to explodethe mixture, and by the force of the explosion, deliver the water intothe pipe 3.

For the purpose of supplying a suitable device, which, as shown,comprises a shaft 6 suitably mounted on a base 7 and driven by a smallmotor or other source of power. rlihe shaft 6 operates a compressor8lwhich draws in the charge through a carbureter 9, the gasoline being`supplied from a tank l0. This fuel mixture is ted from the compressorthrough a pipe ll, and suitable pipes l2 and 13, to one or the other otthe valve chambers 11i, through which the mixture is ted at the propertime into the respect-ive explosion chambers.

lithineach pipe l2 and 13 is a tubular valve-operating' rod le, which isoperated at the proper time by means of a cam l@ carried by the shaft17, which is rotated by means of lgearing i3 troni the shaft 6. The rodl is provided at its lower end with an enlarged head 19 within thechamber la, and to the head 19 is secured a cage 20, within which isreciprocally mounted a comparatively long stem 2l of the valve 22, whichcooperates with the seat 23 to cut ott or admit the Jfuel mixture intothe explosion chamber. The stem 2l is provided near its `upper end witha stop nut 2t, which is normally held in its uppermost position by thespring 25, and in the position shown in Fig. 8 rests against the seat26.

Within the stem 2l is reci proc-ally mounted an electric conducting`medium 27, which is insulated by a sleeve 2S and carries at its lowerend an electrode 29, which cooperates with the adjustable screw toprovide an ignition spark at the proper time, the screw 30 beingsupported by a bracket 3l secured at the lower end ot the casing. Themember 27 is urged downwardly by a spring 32, which connects theelectrode to a source of electricityy tireugh a wire 33, which isinsulated as shown at 34.

In Fig. 9, the valve 22 is shown in the position in which the fuel isbeing admitted to the explosion chamber. .flotter the luel has beenadmitted, the rod l5 is raise-d and the valve 22 is closed through themedium of a spring` 2` while the electrode 29 is still held downwardlyby the spring 32. As soon as the valve 22 strikes its seat 23, however,the movement ot the valve and the nut 2d stops, and the cage 20continuing its movement, the flange 26 strikes the nut 2oLL on the stem27 and quickly opens the. spark gap between the electrodes 29 and 30.Upon t-he continuation ot the operation, tl e fuel will next be admittedto the other explosion chamber in the same manner. Vhen it is time toagain open the valve 22, the rod l5 again descending, first closes thespark 2rap by reason ot the action ot the spring 32, and upon con tinuedmovement downward, the valve 22 is opened as before.

The lower end ot the chamber ift is provided with a toot piece or plughaving iurostanding` lugs 36, which `form a positive `pump cylinder forthe purpose ot adjustment or repairs without removing` the cylindertroni the well, the toot-piece 35 o'l each chamber is formed at itslower extremity with a nipple, provided with quarter threes# 33, whichmay be engaged with corresponding tema-le quarter threads 39 torined inthe cover plate which is secured to the upper end ot' the cylinder,preferably by .velf ing. Sui'rounding` the orifice in which the q1threads 39 are formed, are a pluialit,y of lugs having inclined facesal, which, by the engagement with the outwardly extendingr shoulders 42,`direct the lower threaded end et the valve chamber into proper relationto engage the threads 39.

lt will bc understood that the cylinder 2 is divided by a verticalcentral partition into two compartments, in the upper ends oli which thetuel introduced, and the ai* plosions take place alternately in the twocompartinents. l

The toot-piece is toriiied vwith a recess l-V, which encloses the valve22 and the spark pluga 29, and the walls ci this recess are preterffiblytapered downwardly to torni a sort or" vortex, whereby the -fuel chargeas it is forced under pressure into the ex plosion chamber will bedirected across the electrodes, thereby preventing the accumulation otsoot or the like.

order to procure the greatest efficiency and the inaniinum tiow ofwater, the coinpartments iu the cylinder 2 should be provided with inletopenings ot cons extent. ln the torni shown in Fi;Y`r 2 to o, inclusive,l have shown each compartment provided in its bottom` with three inletnipples oit comparatively large size and controlled by gravity valves a6oi' a well known type. The side of each compartment is also providedwith three inlet nipples el? oit elbow shape, each being provided at itsupper end with a valve seat 43 and gravity valve 9. lt will noted thatthe lower wall 47a ot cach eiliow terms an abutment or stop tor thecorresponding valve 43, while the valve cage t3 is provided with an laoinwardly-turned lip 48a `that toi-ms stop which is ene-aged the toot 49aot each valve itl The wall ot the cylinder 2 is Jreterabl f )revit d1with removable )lates Yi i o0 which provide ready access to the valves.The two compartments ot the cvlinder 2 e. :7 provided with large outletnipples 5l and 52, respectively, which are secured in the cover e0, andextend downwardly to a point near the valves 49, as will bc seen fromFigs. 2 and 2. connecting member for directing the streams from thenipples 51 and 52 into the pipe 3, is fori'ued from a swage nipple, thelarger end of which is somewhat elongated, as shown at in F ig. 4;, andthe upper end tapers at -/l (Fig. 3) to connect with the lower end ofthe pipe 3.

As soon as thc fuel charge is introduced into the upper end of one ofthe compartments in the cylinder 2, the valve closes and immediatelyhereafter the fuel charge is ignited, the expansion of tie ignited gasesforcing the water upwardly through one of the nipples, as 51. This Lwater being discharged through the A. p 54 will also draw a considerablevolume of water through the other nipple 52 by a suction action, andwill, at the same time, completely scavenge the chainber in which theprevious explosion has taken place. Ports 55 may also be provided in thclower part of the wall of the swage nipple 53, in order to increase theflow of water being delivered. Toward the end of the eXplosion action, aconsiderable portion of the burned gases'will escape with the stream ofwater, and preferably 'there is provided a. duct 56 through which theremaining products of combustion may subsequently be exhausted.

At this period of the operation, the other compartment has been filledwith water by the suction action above described, and the fuel chargeis'next forced under compresA sion into said compartment preparatory tothe next explosion. The operation of the compressor 8 and the cam shaft17 is so timed that the water which is siphoned into the explosionchamber, as it completes the scavenging of the burned gases, meets theincoming fuel charge and increases the compression thereof, whereby avery high degree of compression is obtained at the moment of ignition.

The preferred means for operating the fuel inlet valves and the ignitiondevice through the rod 15, is illustrated in 1.4.-. Each of the pipes 12and 1.8, where it is connected to the pipe 11 leading from thecompressor, is also provided with an er:- tcnsion nipple 57, to which issecured a sleeve 58, a suitable packing` gland 59 being` provided toprevent the escape of the fuel mixture around the rod l5. This rod eX-tends upwardly through the sleeve 58, and provided at .its upper endwith a head 30, in which is journaled a roller 61 that coacts with thecam 16 as the shaft 17 is rotated. A suitable compression spring` G2surrounds the upper end of the rod 15 within the sleeve 58, andmaintains the roller 61 at all times in contact with the cam 1.6, thetension of the spring being suitably adjusted means of lock :nuts 63,and ade justable nur.; 6lbeing also provided as a stop at the uoper endof the sleeve ln Figs. 15 and 16, l have shown a modilied arrangementwhich is in the nature of a single acting pump having a single firingchamber 65. As shown in the drawings, this firing chamber may beattached to the side of the cylinder 2 near 'the upper end, and isprovided in its bottom with a large valve 66 controlled by a spring o7and cov ering the maior portion of the bottom area. The lower electrode30 of the spark plug is secured to the side wall lof the firing chamber,as by means of a bracket 31a. In this form also, a single inlet 68 isprovided in the bottom of the cylinderl and controlled by a spring 69.Upon the explosion taking place in the chamber 65, the water is forcedupwardly through the pipe 8, the lower end of which, 51a, terminatesnear the top of the ,cylinder 2.A

lt is also. to be observed that in the construction shown in Figs. 2 and3, the water pipes 51 and 52 necessarily terminate at their lower endsat a considerable distance above the lower end of the cylinder 2, inorder to allow for the inlet ports l5 and 47. rlhis permits aconsiderable water hammer in the lowerend of the cylinder, and in heavywork, unless the cylinder is made exceptionally strong, it is liable toburst. Under such conditions, therefore, I prefer to construct thecylinder 2 as shown in Figs. 17, 18, 21 and 22. In this construction,each of the firing chambers is in the form of a cylindrical tube 70,which is connected at its upper end with an intake pipe 71 secured tothe lower end of the valve chamber 151.. These 'cylindrical firingchambers are connected at their lower ends to a cylindrical box 72 whichis separa-ted diametrically by a partition 73. rllhe water passes fromthe cylindrical boX 72 upwardly through the respective pipes 7 1l,through the connector or swage nipple 75 into the pipe 3. rlhe box 72 isprovided in its bottom with a number of inlet nipples 76 which arecontrolled by gravity valves 77. The lower ends of the cylindricalchambers 70 and 7e are welded or otherwise secured to the upper wall ofthe boi; 72. The boi; is strengthened against lateral strain by means ofbolts 78, which also provide stops to lignit the upward movements of thevalves In this lform of the invention, when the explosion takes place inthe upper end of the cylinder 70, it will be seen that the expansiveforce of the explosion is directly utilized to force the waterdownwardly in the cylinder 70 and upwardly in the cylinder 74, andI,there is practically no space below the moving current of water wherea water hammer could resultv lt .is also preferable in some cases to.provide an exhaust outside of the Water colpe 3, in order to lreep thewater free m impurities. Also, since the proper scavenging of the firingchamber, when there is no independent exhaust pipe, depends upon thesuction action induced by the explosion in the other firing chamber, itWill found that when the outlet noz- Zle is restricted, as in the caseof a fire hose, or Wherever it is desired to expel the. Water withconsiderable force, the scavenging in such cases may not be complete.

ln Figs. l?, 19 and 20, l have shown an exhaust pipe 79 alon side of theWater column 3, and provideoat its lovver end with a manifold 8O whichis connected at each end with valve bei: 8l having a nipple 82 connectedwith the intake and exhaust passageway Tl. The exhaust is controlled bya valve 83, which is` normally closed by a spring 84, and may be openedat the proper time by means of a lever 85 Which is connected by a rod 86to a lever 87, mounted above the Well and actuated by a cam 88 on theshaft l?. lWith this structure, the burnt gases will be completelyexhausted from the firing chamber under all condi tions of use.

From the foregoing description, it Will be seen that l have provided apump of the internal combustion type which is operable under allconditions of use to cause a continuous flow of Water., and wherein thepoiver is transmitted directly and Without any appreciable loss ofenergy to the Work to be performed. l have described and illustrated inthe drawings What may be considered at present the preferred forms of myinvention, and l have described a number of the Ways in Which it may beutilized. lt is to be understood, however, that other .modifications andadaptations may be made Within the scope of the appended claims Withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

lflfhat is claimed is 1. ln a device of the character described, acombustion chamber havingl a valve-com trolled inlet port near itsloiver end, a dischai passageway leading from the chamber, a tubularvalve controlled rod leading the chamber, means for compressing` fuelmint ue and subsequently introducing the same through said rod into thechamber, and ieans leading through the rod for igniting the mixtureWithin the chamber.

2. A cylinder divided longitudinally into two compartments, eachprovided With inlet checl-z valves near the lower end and With an outletnipple extending upwardly and downwardly from the upper end, a svvagenipple receiving the upper ends of the firstmentioned nipples and havinga reduced end leading to a common outlet, means for inumn in the pi n Ilimanes tr' ducing and igniting an explosive mixture he compartmentsalternately, and duct between the savage nipple and i1. r end of eachcoinpartment for ere be burned trapped above the i ie nipple therein.

,c of the character described tivo compartments having' Water Hd outletports, means for mixing, o; and forcibly introducing and Lel mixture ineach compartment above vthe Water outlet ports to stantly incommunication With both nipples and leading upwardly therefrom, wherebye discharge through one nipple induces v of Water through the other, andmeans 1er intr ducing and igniting a fuel mixture tivo compartmentsalternately, the in -lotion and ignition being so timed that e inducedflow meets the incoming charge and increases the compression thereof.

5. ln an internal combustion pump, the combination of two compartments,each provided with a valve controlled Water inlet port near its bottom,and a valve controlled fuel inlet port near the top thereof, externai.means for mixing and compressing fuel charcos and subsequentlyintroducingthem al' rnately through said fuel inlet ports into tho upperportions of each of the tivo compartments, which constitute explosionchambers, and there igniting them, a Water discharge passageway leadingupwardly from a point near the bottom of each compartment, hoodreceiving the upper ends of said passageways and terminating in a singleWater conduit, and means for so timing the introduction of Jthe fuelcharge that it meets the incoming Water and is further compressedthereby.v

6. A device of the character described, comprising tivo compartments.each provided vvith a valve-controlled inlet port near its lower end,discharge passageway lead* ing from its upper end, a tubular valvecontrolled rod leading to each chamber, means for mixing and compressingsuccessive fuel charges, subsequently introducing them through said rodsinto the two compartments alternately, and means leading through eachrod for igniting the mixture in the chamber upon the closure of the fuelinlet valve.

7 An internal combustion pump, comprising a fluid and combustion chamberadapted to be inserted into a well, a water discharge pipe leading fromthe chamber, a pipe and valve cage for introducing a fuel mixture intothe chamber, an inlet port with which said valve is detachablyconnected, and guide lugs around the port having inclined faces, wherebythe cage may be easily guided into engagement with the port while thepump is at the bottom of the well.

8. ln an internal combustion pump, a combustion chamber, a valve cageconnected therewith, a valve in the cage having a tubular operating rod,an electric conductor extending through the operating rod and having aspark plug at its inner end, and means for operating said valve rod andsaid spark plug in properly timed relation.

9. An internal combustion pump having two compartments, each havingwater inlet and outlet ports and a fuel inlet port, and a commondischarge pipe in constant communication with each compartment throughthe respective outlet ports and in such a po sition that the forcibleexpulsion of water from one compartment induces al iow of water throughthe other compartment to expel the burned gases therefrom.

l0. An internal combustion pump having two compartments each havingwater inlet and outlet ports and a fuel inlet port, a common dischargepipe associated with the outlet ports in such a position that theexpulsion of water from one compartment causes a siphoning actionthrough the other.l

compartment to expel the burned gases therefrom, and means forintroducing fuel charges alternately into the two compartments andigniting them, the introduction and ignition being so timed that thesiphoned water meets the incoming charge and increases the compressionthereof.

l1. In a device of the character described, a valve chamber throughwhich the fuel charge is introduced, a valve having a tubular operating'rod which is reciprocable to open and close the passage through saidchamber, an electric conductor extending through said operating rod 'andhaving its lower portion reciprocable therein to open or close a sparkgap in contact with the charge.

l2. In a device of the character described, a compartment for receivingthe water to be pumped, a passageway for introducing a fuel mixture intothe upper end of the compartment, a valve for controlling theintroduction of the mixture and having a tubular operating rod extendingthrough the passageway, an electric conductor extending through theoperating rod, means for reciprocating said operating rod to open orclose l the valve, and means for reciprocating the lower portion of theconductor to cause a spark to ignite the mixture in said compartment. y

13. In a device of the character described, a compartment for receivingthe water to be pumped, a passageway for introducing a fuel mixture intothe upper end of the compartment, a valve for controlling theintroduction of the mixture and having a tub-ular operating rodextending through the passageway, an electric circuit through theoperating rod and having electrodes within the compartment, means formoving said operating rod and valve to admit the fuel to thecompartment, said circuit being closed when the valve is open, and meansfor opening a gap between the electrodes while the valve is closed.

la. An internal combustion pump comprising a box provided with avalve-controlled water inlet port, aliring chamber and a water dischargepipe, both in communication with said box and extending directlyupwardly therefrom, a valved tube for introducing a fuel charge intotheupper end of the iii-ing chamber, and means reciprocable within thetube for actuating its valve and igniting the fuel charge in properlytimed relation thereto.

extending I l5. An internal combustion pump com- I prising a box havingits bottom wall provided with a valve-controlled water inlet port, aliring `chamber and a water discharge pipe, both in communication withsaid box through its upper wall, external means for y charge.

16. An internal combustion pump comprising a box divided into twocompartments, each compartment being provided with a valve-controlledwater inlet port, a firing chamber and a water discharge pipe, both incommunication with said compartment, independent means for compressingfuel charges and introducing them alternatelyk into the two compartmentsand igniting the same, a valve-controlled exhaust pipe for eachcompartment, and means operable by the compressor for actuating theexhaust valve in timed relation to the ignition.

1T. An internal combustion pump comprising a box divided into twocompartments, each compartment being provided with a valve-controlledwater inlet port in its bottom wall, a ring chamber and a waterdischarge pipe both in communication with said compartment through itsupper wall, external means for compressing the fuel charges, means forsubsequently introducing saidcharges alternately into the twocompartments and. igniting the-m, a valve-controlled exhaust `passagewayleading from the firing chamber, and means connected with thecompressing means for operating saidl exhaust valve.

18.`An internalI combustion pump, comprising a box divided into twocompartments, each compartment being provided with a t'1a.lvecontrolledwat-er inlet port in its bottom wall, a liring chamber and a waterdischarge pipev both in constant com-- munication with said compartmentthrough its upper wall, means forintroducino' fuel alternately into thetwo compartments and ig'niting the same., and a common discharge pipe`in constant communication with the discharge. pipe from` eachcompartment,

whereby' the forciblel expulsion of water from one compartment willinduce a iiow of water through the other compartment andthroughthe'iring chamber and discharge pipe connected with it.

19;'n internal` combustion pump comprising a boX divided into twocomparti-- ments, each compartment being provided.

with a valve-controlled. water inlet port, a tiring ychamber and a waterdischarge pipe both-in communication with said compartment, means formixing and compressing successive fuel charges and subsequentlyintroducing them alternately into the two coinl'iart-ments, andligniting them, a common discharge pipe connected with the dischargepipes'4 from the two compartments whereby eXpi/ilsion ofwater from onecon'ipartment will siplion water through the other compartmentandthrough vthe firing chamber and discharge pipe connected with it, andni-eans'for timing the introduction ofthe successive charges 'so thatthe siphonedwater meets the incoming charge and increases thecompression thereof.

20; In an internal combustion pump, a boxvhaving a water inlet port inthe bottom thereof, a gravity valve controlling said port, a combustionchamber and a, discharge pipe in communication with the bor: through itsupper wall, and a transverse reinforcing member for securing the sideWalls of the box against lateral distortion, said 'reinforcing memberbeing in a position to act as a stop for the valve.

2l. lnY an internall combustion pump, a box having a` valve-controlledinlet port, a firing chamber and a discharge pipe in communicationwithisaid box, a pipe for Leichen e prior to its introduction, avalve-conchai trolled exhaust passageway leading from thek tiringchamber, and means connected with the compressing means for operatingsaid valve.

i in internal combustion pump comprising two water compartment-s, eachhaving a `valte-controlled inlet, a qtiring chamb anda discharge pipe, avalve-controlled fuel intake pipe leading to the firing chamber, anenlliaust port, a valve normally closing the exhaust port, a commondischarge pi-p'e connectedwi-th the discharge pipes leading from the twocompartments whereby discharge from one compartment si phons waterthrough the other compartment and into its discharge pipe andiirngchamber, and mechanical means for opening the exhaust portifal'veto permit the siphoning action to scavenge the fir-ing chamber.

24.. rEhe method of propelling liquids which consists in causing theexplosion of fuel charges in` contact withv two guided bodies of liquidalternately to propel the same through a common discharge pipe, andutilizing the momentum of the liquid en pelled from one body to induce aflow of liquid through the other body to` expel the burned gasestherefrom.

25. rEhe method of propelling liquids which consists in causingl theexplosion of fuell charges in contact with two guidedk bodies of liquid`alternately to propel the same through a common discharge pipe, andutilizing the momentum of the liquid eX- pelled from the one body toinduce a iow of liquid through the other body to expel the burned gasestherefrom, and to meet the next incoming charge :indvincrease thecompression ofV the latter.

In testimony, that l claim the foregoing as my own, l have heretoaiiixed my signature.

CHARLES HENRY FQX.

